Telescoping tail pipe



J. H. HART ET AL TELESCOPING TAIL PIPE Nov. .13, 1951 Filed Sept. 1,1950 S'Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Nov. 13, 1951 Filed Sept. 1, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS J. H. HART ET AL TELESCOPING TAILPIPE Nov. 13 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 1, 1950 Patented Nov. 13,1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Jean H. Hart and Ray H. Hart, El Reno,Okla.

Application September 1, 1950, Serial No. 182,662

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a telescoping anchor or tail pipe used in oilwells for anchoring a tube or packer in an open hole or other formation,and in particular the telescoping anchor pipe includes a section of astringer pipe that rests upon the bottom of the hole and a sectionalstring of a smaller diameter than telescopes into the pipe resting uponthe bottom of the hole and suitable slips, hooks and other anchoring andoperating elements connecting the smaller sectional string to thetubular base or section resting upon the bottom of the hole.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for lengthening andshortening a string of pipe in an oil well without pulling the pipe fromthe well.

In the conventional type of well casing it is necessary to pull thecasing from the well to lengthen or shorten the string. Furthermore inmaxing tests of fluid at dinerent points in a well it is often desirableto raise or lower the base or tail pipe of a string in a well andordinarily it is necessary to pull the casing in order to change theelevation of the base or tail pipe. With these thoughts in mind thisinvention contemplates a combination of slips, anchors and operatingmeans therefor carried by the lower end of a string which telescopes inthe tail pipe of a well casing and in which the parts are actuated fromthe upper end of the string.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improvedconnecting structure between a stringtelescoping in a tail pipe of awell casing and the tail pipe in which the parts may be operated by theupper end of the string and without pulling the string from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for resettingslips in an anchor or tail pipe of a well casing by contacting thebottom of the tail pipe or tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telescopinganchor pipe for wells wherein tripping of holding elements in the deviceis accomplished by contacting the upper end of the anchor or tail pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telescopinganchor pipe for well casings in which the inner telescoping joint orelements of the telescoping tube are held by indentations in the innersurface of the anchor or tail pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof telescoping anchor or tail pipes of well casings in which the partsare of a comparatively simple and inexpensive design.

- in relation to the anchor pipe whereby the lower end of the inner tubemay be locked at different elevations in the anchor pipe and alsowhereby the anchor pipe may be raised and lowered by the tube.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view with parts broken'away showing the innertelescoping tube extended through a packing gland in the upper end ofthe anchor pipe.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the lower end of the anchor pipeshowing the locking elements and'trips in the free positions.

Figure 2a is a similar view showing the upper art of the anchor pipe. I

Figure 3 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 2 showing the innerlocking elements with the inner telescoping tube clamped in the outeranchor pipe.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the inner telescoping tube withdrawnslightly wherein the slips are released from the inner threads of theanchor pipe. 7 p i Figure 5 is also a similar view showing the partsreleased whereby the inner holding elements and slips are free to moveupwardly in the anchor pipe.

Figure 6 is a view showing the parts with the upper elements releasedand with the ends of a pin extended from a sleeve on a shaft of thetele-.

scoping string in engagement with a ring on the inner surface of theanchor pipe whereby the anchor pipe may be raised by the string.

Figure '7 is a vertical section through the up per end of the anchorpipe illustrating the mounting'of the string therein.

Figure 8 is a cross section through the anchor Figure 10 is also asimilar section taken on line l'0'lll of Figure 2 illustratingthe'segments of the slips. Figure "11 is a detail illustrating-a sleevewith the ' foot sections of threeinch pipe, an inner telescoping stringH which may be formed of two inch pipe, a plurality of segments |2forming slips,

a spreader |3 having a conical shaped outer surface, a sleeve |4 havinglegs l5 and lfiextended downwardly therefrom, a vertically disposed rodI! having gripping dogs |8 on the lower end, an

extension l9 positioned to engage the lower end of a bull plug 2|,springs 22 and 23, anda;

packing gland 24 that is positioned around the string and threaded inthe upper end of a spacing sleeve 25 that is threaded in the upper endof the anchor pipe l0.

, The anchor pipe II] is formed as shown with spaced annular ringsforming teeth 26 on the inner surface, with the'outer surface of thelower end threaded into the upper end of the bull plug or base 2| asshown at the point 21 and with I the upper end provided with internalthreads 28 into which an annular ring 29 of the spacing sleeve or collar25 is threaded.

The collar 25 is provided with an annular recess 30 for packing 3| and abronze ring 32 is positioned to coact with the packing to preventgalling or freezing of the pipe. A packing nut 33 is threaded in theupper end of the collar 25 to retain the ring and packing in position.From the collar 25 the inner tubular string, which is preferably formedof two inch pipe sections is coupled to superimposed sections bysuitable coupling members and for this reason the string is providedwith threads 34,'as shown in Figure 2a.

The lower end of the string is provided with internal threads 35 intowhich a hub 36 on the upper end of a sleeve or tubular casing 3! isthreaded, as shown in Figure 2, and the outer surface of the hub isprovided with projections 38 that are positioned to engage an innerannular ring 39 in the upper part of the outer casing or pipe ID. Thelower part of the hub 36 is provided with perforations 40 that establishcommunication between the interior of the string and the interior of theanchor pipe I. The lower end of the hub 36 is also provided with ashoulder 4| that is positioned to be engaged by a washer 42 on the upperend of the rod I! with the parts in the position shown in, Figure 2, andby this means the inner gripping elements are forced downwardly as thestring is moved downward. The washer 42 is threaded on the upper end ofthe rod I! and the rod extends downwardly through the conical shapedspreader |3 which is formed on the lower end of a tube 43 that isprovided with an outer annular flange 44, spaced from the lower end andan inner annular flange 45 on the upper end. The tube 43 is alsoprovided with elongated slots 46 and 41 through which pins 48 and 49which are threaded into openings in the sleeve l4 through studs 50 and5| on the inner ends extend.

The tube 43 is slidably mounted in the tubular casing 3'! extendeddownwardly from the collar or hub 36 and the tubular casing 31 isprovided with elongated slots 52 and 53 in which heads of screws 54 and.55, threaded into the upper end of the tube 43 are positioned. A collar56 is provided on the 4 flange 45 and the spring 22, the lower end ofwhich is positioned around the collar 56, extends upwardly from theflange 45 to the washer 42. By this means downward movement of thestring compresses the spring 22 and permits the heads of the screws 54and 55 to move upwardly in the slots 52 and 53. Upon continued downwardmovement of the string II the spreader l3 enters the slip segments withthe outer tapering surface thereof engaging the conical shaped innersurfaces of the segments l2 of the slips.

. The operation is illustrated in Figure 5 wherein the spreader issubstantially midway of its downward movement and the action continuesuntil the lower end of the extension |9 engages the surface 20 of thebull plug 2|. In this movement, and before the lower end of theextension I9 reaches the surface 20 of the bull plug the lower ends ofthe legs I5 and I6 of the sleeve |4 contact the surface 20 whereby thesleeve I4 is moved upwardly to release the dogs l8 so that the dogsspring outwardly to engage the lower surface of a bushing 51, the lowerend of which is provided with threads on which a ring 58 is positionedand the upper end of which is provided with a flange 59 that is held inposition by a ring 60, secured to the lower ends of the segments |2 ofthe slips by screws 6 I. With the parts in this position, as illustratedin Figure 3, upward movement of the string draws'the sleeve 31 and alsothe tube 43 upwardly, as shown in Figure 2 and in this movement thespreader I3 is drawn upwardly by the spring 22 thereby releasing theslips.

The dogs |8 nest in spaced longitudinally disposed grooves 62 in the rodl1 and the lower end of the rod is provided with a cone B3, in the lowerend of which the extension 9 is threaded.

A washer 64 is secured on the lower end of the extension l9 by a nut 65and, as illustrated in Figure 2 upon upward travel of the rod I! thewasher 64 engages the lower end of the bushing 5'! and collar 58. Theanchor pipe H] is threaded into the upper end of the bull plug or base2| providing a complete closure member and the inner annular ring 39provides a stop ring which, positioned to be engaged by the pins 48 and49 of the sleeve l4 prevents the string I being withdrawn from theanchor pipe It. By this means it is also possible to draw the anchorpipe from the well by the telescoping tube or string.

With the parts arranged in this manner the anchor pipe is picked up andstarted into the hole or well being heldby the slips. These elements areconventional in oil 'wells of this type. The next joint of the innertubing or string is secured to the tubing H by a collar or the like andthe lower section with the anchor pipe thereon is lowered into the well.In the lowering movement the inner tube is telescoped into the anchorpipe. This actionis continued until the lower ends of the legs l5 and I6engage the lower end of the bull plug whereby the sleeve 4 slidesupwardly releasing the dogs [8 so that the dogs spring outwardly intogripping relation with the member 5'! extending downwardly from thesegments of the slips. The end [9 of the rod l1 continues until it alsoengages the surface 20 of the bull plug, at which time the spreader l3has forced the slips into engagement with the teeth 25 of the anchorpipe.

To adjust the position of the slips in the anchor pipe the string isdrawn upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2 whereby the slips arereleased and with upward movement of the sleeve 21 the shoulder II alsomoves upwardly. whereby the spring 22 draws the rod I1 and extension 19upwardly, the dogs l8 being crowded inwardly by the sleeve I4. Atthesame time the heads of thescrews 54 and 55, which extend into the slots52 and 53 draw the tube 43 upwardly whereby the slips may be movedupwardly in the anchor tube or pipe, as illustrated in Figure 5. In theinitial movement the dogs l8, beingcrowded inwardly by the sleeve [4pass through the member 51, as shown in Figure 6.

The telescoping anchor pipe of this invention may be positioned atdifferent elevations in a well and samples of oil, gas, or other fluidmay be taken through the string. The perforations 40 providecommunicating means between the interior of the anchor pipe l0 and thestring or tube V This device provides means whereby the slips l2 in anoil well telescoping anchor pipe may be reset at different positions inthe outer casing or anchor pipe Ill by engagement of the lower end of arod extended from the string with the plug or lower end of the outercasing. Furthermore engagement of the pins 48 and 49 or of the annularring 38 with the lower end of the packing gland or collar in which thegland is mounted provides tripping means for releasing the elementswhereby the anchor pipe may be drawn upwardly to a different elevationin a well.

. The inner edges or threads 26 of the tubular casing I0 and the annularring 38 of the string ll provides gripping and tripping elements wherebythe parts of the anchor are actuated through the string from the upperend of the well without pulling the well casing or parts thereof. Bythis means it is also possible to add sections in the two inch pipe orstring between the anchor and upper end ofthe well.

It will be understood that although it has been suggested that theanchor pipe [0 is formed of three inch pipe and the string l l of twoinch pipe, pipe of any suitable size may be used. j

In order to facilitate the action of the hooks or dogs l8 an innerannular ring 66 is provided in the bull plug 2| to hold back the ring 58in the downward movement so that it will compress spring 23 and permitthe hooks 18 to catch under the ring 58. This gives the slips 12 theirtendency of an upward movement against the tapered spreader 13 causingthe slips [2 to be positively engaged in the teeth '26 of the pipe [0.

The slips I2 which include a plurality of segments may also be describedas forming parts of a split nut having a smooth or straight innersurface with the outer surface threaded for the purpose of retractionand expansion. The threads on the outer surface of the said split nutare positioned for mating with threads on the inner surface of the pipeIll. The parts generally referred to as conventional slips cling to asmooth surface wall whereas a split nut, regardless of the number oftimes it is split clings to the mating threads cut into the innersurface of the wall of a surrounding tube or pipe.

With the threads or annular rings formed with flat horizontally disposedupper surfaces on the inner surface of the well casing or pipe theresulting force from the Weight of the parts is vertical providing adownward force whereas the conventional slips that are forced outwardlyagainst the inner surface of a smooth wall grip with a lateral thrustand the downward force taken along the outer surfaces of the parts ofthe split nut transmitted to horizontal surfaces a load on'the tube ofone hundred thousand pounds ofldownward force can be released by anupward force of ten pounds whereas the lateral force required to holdslips against a smooth surface required a force many times as great-torelease the holding elements.

It will be understood that other modifications may be made in thedesignand arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

- What is claimed is:

1. In a telescoping anchor pipe, an outer tubular casing, an innertubular string telescoping in the outercasing, slips positioned betweenthe string and outer casing providing gripping means between the stringand casing, and means resetting the slips by engagement of means on theend of the string with the lower end of the outer casing.

2. In a telescoping anchor pipe, an outer tubular casing, an innertubular string telescoping in the outer casing, latching means betweenthe string and outer casing for holding the string in relation to thecasing, and means tripping the latching means upon engagement of anextension on the string with the upper end of the outer casing.

3. In a telescoping anchor pipe, the combination which comprises anoutertubular casing having gripping means on the inner surface, an innertubular string telescoping in the outer casing, latching means carriedby the inner tubular string and positioned to coact with the grippingmeans of the outer casing, means resetting the latching means byengagement of the lower end of the string with the lower end of theouter tubular casing, and means releasing the latching means byengagement of an extension on the tubular string with the upper end ofthe outer tubular casing.

4; A' telescoping anchor for well casings comprising an anchor pipe, awell string telescoping in' said anchor pipe, a sleeve extended from thelower end of the well string, a tube having a spreader 'on the lower endslidably mounted in the sleeve, slips having sloping inner surfacesmounted in theanchor pipe and positioned to be engaged by the spreaderfor urging the slips into gripping relation with the inner surface ofthe anchor pipe, means carried by the string for elevating the slips,and means whereby the slips are released from the anchor pipe from theupper end of the string.

5. In a telescoping anchor for well casings, the combination whichcomprises an anchor pipe having a threaded inner surface, a well stringtelescoping in the anchor pipe, slips positioned in the anchor pipe andhaving threaded outer surfaces to coact with the threaded inner surfaceof the anchor pipe, and means carried by the well string for actuatingthe slips.

6. In a telescoping anchor for well casings, the combination whichcomprises an anchor pipe having a threaded inner surface, a well stringtelescoping in the anchor pipe, slips positioned in the anchor pipe andhaving threaded outer surfaces to coact with the threaded inner surfaceof the anchor pipe, means carried by the well string for expanding theslips into gripping relation with the threads of the anchorpipe, andmeans extended from the lower end of the well string for releasing theexpanding means of the slips, and means also carried by the lower end ofthe well string for resetting the slips.

7. In a telescoping anchor for well casings, the

mummy:

combination: which .comprises-. am anchor: pipe"-having..atthreadediinner :surface'; a. bulljplugzcareried by. thelower:end ofithecanchor pipe;-.,a:,wellsv string-1 telescopingcinithanchorcpiney. a1 tubulan casingshaving: elongated lslot's :thereincarried: the Well string, vatubetltlaving :a;spreader:onzthe; lowerrendand alsoshaving't' elongated slot'sztherein slidably: mounted: inthnctub'ular casing; ..a "rod". slidably-"mounted. in the tube; saidro'dhavingtta: washer on the upper end and elongatedrsldtsiirr the outersurface of the lowerfend';.. aspringrzpositioned between: the.upperren'dr. of; the tube; and

washer on theupper end ofctl'iemodr frmresilientlw urging; the: rod:vupwardly dogs; nested? in. the; elongated slots: in: the; lower; endgof; the rod;. at sleeve encasing; the dogsslidably,mountediomthe rod andhavingdeg ssextendedi downwardlyytherew from, pins carriedby the upper.endofftl'ieslee e and extended throughthe elongatedslotsaof the; tube,.screwssextendedtfrom the-upper end; of the tube and positioned in the:elongatedslotsof. the: tubular casing carried by the. well string, aplu:-- rality of slipshaving sloping inner sunfacescppsie' tioned. toreceive. the spreader of the tube said:

slipsrpositioned in the anchor pipe-and-having H serrated outersurfaces. positioned to; coactwith the threaded inner surface of theanchor pipe. means mountingthe.slips.t onsthe-lower. end of the saidrod;saiddogs-inthe-slots ofrthe rod: positionedrto engage: the mountingmeans of the: slips, and means :on thelowenend*of-.the:-rod.alsopositioned to engage themounting means rof the"slips, for resetting the slips.

8-. In:-a-..te1escoping anchor for well casingsgthe combination whichcomprises. an. anchorpipe having. azthreaded inner surface, a-lwellstring} telescoping in the anchor. pipe-,- a=split nut.in-- eluding aplurality of segmentspositioned in-the: anchor. pipe, said. segments:hav-ing straight .inner; surfaces and threaded outersurfaces=and-posi-- tioned .to coactwith .the threaded inner surface oftheanchor pipe, and meanscarriedbythe. well string ,for actuatingythesegments of the; split. nut'..

9'. In .atelescoping anchor. for welllcasingrth'e.

8 combination whiclr: comprises: an: anchor: pipe:-havingzraathreadediiinner surface; a:-bulljplug.carsried by; theil'owerJ end of. the anchor; pipe,.,a' well string-telescoping inithe anchor.pipe; atub'ular.

casing .haying'elongatedzslots .therein carried by therwellst'ring,.a-tub'e having a spreader.omthev themed." upwardly; dogsnested; in the :elbngatedt slots.-in:the:-lowerend ofthe'rod; at'sleeveenca'sing: the"; dogs: slid ably. mounted 5011' the :ro dv and." having.-

legs extended downwardly therefrom, pins car-'- ried by the'zupper'endiof the; sleeve and'extend'ed through the elongated; slotsofi' thetube; screws extended:- from: the upper: end' ofthe tube and. positionedinthe elongated slots of thettubular. casing carried by therwell string,a split nut v includinga plurality'ofseginents having straight yinner-surfaces positioned: to receive thespreader of the: tub'e,. saidsegments positioned in the: anchorpipe andihaving "serrated outersurfaces positionedztozcoa'ct withztherthreaded inner. surface? of theanchorpipe; meansimounting thesplit: nut on lower end .of'saidfrod, saidTdogs positioned to; engage: the" mounting means of the: split nut for:resetting, the segments: of the split nut.

'JEAN H; HART. RAY H.. HART.

REFERENCES A CITED Theifollowingreferences are of record-in'tlie' fileof thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

